What can we learn from past nuclear accidents? A comparative assessment of emergency response to accidents at the Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima Nuclear Power Plants
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Abstract
Although nuclear power is still one of the most reliable and environmentally friendly energy sources, it has a strong public opposition, often because of concerns about its safety. These concerns are sparked by memories of the three major Nuclear Power Plant accidents, the consequences of which go beyond the radiation borders. A controversial issue in this domain is the effectiveness of emergency management. Therefore, we reviewed the emergency response to three Nuclear Power Plant accidents: Three Mile Island (1979), Chernobyl (1986), and Fukushima (2011). The aim of our research was to identify major problems that remain unresolved in nuclear emergency planning. We argue that not the accident itself, but rather how it was managed resulted in serious health consequences. We emphasize the need for increased attention to educating residents about the nuclear safety measures, as well as key aspects of the response. Our findings also suggest that it is necessary to focus on the shelter location selection considering the potential hazards from natural disasters specific to a particular country. Finally, the government and local authorities should be aware of possible economic losses in the event of an accident and take into account potential mass relocation in land management.
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References
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